'Dancing with the Stars': Rashad Jennings takes the lead in the finale

Here we are... granted, we thought it would be with Nancy, Simone, Heather, and Normani. But we’re here—Dancing with the Stars finale night (part one, of course). Heading into tonight, it appeared Normani was the only contender, but after a record number of 40s were awarded, it’s anyone’s game. Let’s review.

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater

Redemption Rumba: 40/40

Freestyle: 40/40

Rashad and Emma are so excited for this week, because believe it or not, Rashad has never won anything. Rashad and us... we’re all basic Americans. In a full green ensemble, it’s the first time since Rashad’s contemporary that he seems both soft and powerful. It’s enough to finally land his first perfect 40. For his freestyle, Rashad served so much drum line that it makes one question if the other freestyles even happened.

Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Redemption Quickstep: 38/40

Freestyle: 40/40

Nothing says “I’m ready to call your bluff” like dancing a quickstep in pants. PANTS, GUYS. You can see everything, but even in that fringe bodysuit, Normani shows up. The judges, with no Simone left to bully, turn their critiques to Normani and her pants, but it's hard to call someone out perfection. Speaking of perfection... Normani and Val opt for a simplified, meaningful freestyle. They dance with children, and man, is it a beautiful moment.

David Ross and Lindsay Arnold

Redemption Viennese Waltz: 33/40

Freestyle: 40/40

David Ross is wonderful because he dances like a dad who really wants to impress you at your cotillion. Let us not overstress it, but David is not the best dancer this season, but that personality and smile could light up an entire ballpark. The judges give him decent marks, but it’s hard to imagine that being enough. For his freestyle, David returns to standard hip hip/baseball gimmick form—there’s baseball puns. There’s bats. It’s iconic, in its own way. Iconic enough to warrant a 40.

Final USA TODAY Sparkle Points Standings

Normani Kordei: 5.5/5

Yes, that’s an extra half point because she pulled out the hairy-fringe cat suit for a quickstep. Do y’all even understand how absurd that is? Normani Kordei, you are a legend.

David Ross: 5/5

Show us an American themed baseball freestyle, and we’ll show you all the sparkle points in the world.

Rashad Jennings: 5/5

You don’t come to finale night without as many colors and sparkles as you can possibly find adorned to your body. And Rashad’s freestyle outfit didn’t disappoint.

So who’s going to take the crown? It’s anyone’s game.